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Ency. home > Test > U > Urethral discharge culture

Urethral discharge culture   

Overview | Risks | Results

Alternative names:

Culture of urethral discharge; Genital exudate culture; Culture - genital discharge or exudate

Definition:

This is a laboratory test performed on males used to isolate and identify organisms in the urethra and genital tract that cause infection.

How the Test is Performed

The opening of the urethra (at the tip of the penis) is cleansed with sterile gauze or cotton. A cotton swab is then gently inserted into the urethra about 3/4 inch and gently rotated. To ensure a good quality specimen, it should be collected at least 1 hour after urinating.

A culture of the discharge or exudate (the fluid that was collected) is then prepared in the laboratory. Any organisms that grow on the culture are isolated and identified. The drainage may be examined by Gram stain on a slide under the microscope for preliminary results and confirmed by culture.

How to Prepare for the Test

Do not urinate for 1 hour before the test. Urination will wash away some of the organisms needed to obtain an accurate culture.

Infants and children:
The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experiences, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age:

How the Test will Feel

There is usually some discomfort associated with swabbing the urethra.

Why the Test is Performed

Often the test is performed when there is a discharge from the urethra. This test can be performed to detect sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea and chlamydia.

Ency. home > Test > U > Urethral discharge culture

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